Although onions can last much longer than the majority of produce, many people are unsure of the proper way to store onions. Fridge? Counter? Whole? To learn more about how to store onions, keep reading.
The best way to store onions is to store them in a cool, dry place, reduce moisture, keep onions away from light, and do not store onions with apples or potatoes.
Read on for more detailed information.
The Best Way to Store Onions
Onions generally prefer the air, dry weather, and cool temperatures. Maintaining optimal storage conditions will extend their shelf life significantly.
Store in a Cool, Dry Place
The ideal temperature to store onions is around 45 to 55 degrees, according to Matthew Yee, chef at Farm to the People. He advises that onions should be kept in a cool, dry location, such as a cellar, pantry, or even a garage. While whole onions can be kept in the refrigerator, Yee points out that doing so can make the onions mushy or soggy because it causes the onion to convert starch to sugar.
Reduce Moisture
In order to store onions properly, they should be taken out of any plastic grocery bags and separated from other produce that releases moisture, such as potatoes. “If you leave whole onions in a grocery bag without air circulation, it will reduce shelf life by keeping moisture in and encouraging spoilage microbes to grow, such as mold,” says Doctor of Philosophy Margarethe A. Cooper, associate professor of practice in the School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences at the University of Arizona. “Onions can sprout when there is a lot of moisture present. If the bag you purchased or stored the onions in from the store is airtight, transfer them to a mesh bag or container that allows air circulation.”
Keep Onions Away from Light
Keep onions out of direct sunlight and in a location that is cool, dry, and well-ventilated. “Heat created by sunlight or other sources can encourage the growth of spoilage microbes such as mold,” Cooper says.
Do Not Store Onions With Apples Or Potatoes
Your onions will deteriorate more quickly because potatoes release moisture. A good practice is to make sure that apples and potatoes are stored separately because they are both prone to absorbing the strong aroma of onions. If you don’t want your apple pie to taste faintly of onion, avoid doing this.
How to Store Onions to Keep Them Last Longer?
How to Store Cut Or Chopped Onions?
Lots of recipes call for just half an onion. Put the unused half in a plastic bag, seal, and refrigerate up to a week.
Pre-chopping or slicing onions can be a handy meal prep strategy for faster weeknight cooking. You should try to use them within five days of putting them in an airtight bag or container because they continue to smell like onions after five days.
How Long Do Whole Onions Last?
In the store, look for soft spots or mold when choosing your onions. Onions with damage don’t last as long. Onions should feel firm and have little scent, according to the National Onion Association.
For the longest-lasting onions, keep them whole, with the skin on. Onions can last for weeks or even months in ideal conditions.
How to Freeze Onions?
Cooper says chopped or sliced onions can be frozen even though it’s not advised to freeze whole onions. Yee advises doing this by placing diced or chopped onions in a freezer bag and squeezing out as much air as you can. Cooper advises using frozen onions for cooked foods as opposed to defrosting and consuming them raw in a salad or sandwich because freezing alters the texture of the onion.
How Do You Keep Onions from Rotting?
The key is proper storage: Keep the onions out of direct sunlight in a cool, dry environment with adequate ventilation. Onions will rot in any environment that encourages moisture.
Also consider the fact that before arriving in a produce aisle, onions have probably been sitting in transit for a while. If you’ve ever cut into an onion and discovered that it’s rotten despite having stored your haul of onions properly, it was probably due to previous improper storage conditions or it could even have formed in the ground.
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How Can I Tell If Onions Are Bad?
Use visual indicators if you’re unsure if your onions are bad. Find any dark areas first. This is a sign that your onion is beginning to turn and is typically a precursor to mold.
To the touch, a good onion should feel firm. It’s past its prime if you feel any soft spots in the onion.
An additional sign that your onion has gone bad is if it has sprouted. Finally, give it a good sniff. If it smells “off” then it’s probably a good idea to dispose of it and reach for a fresh one instead.
FAQs
Do Onions Last Longer in the Fridge Or on the Counter?
Whole onions and shallots are best stored in a cool, dry, dark and well-ventilated room. The pantry, cellar, basement, or garage all make excellent locations. Peeled onions can be stored in the fridge for 10–14 days, while sliced or cut onions can be refrigerated for 7–10 days.
Should Onions Be Stored in the Refrigerator?
Whole onions don’t need to go in the refrigerator—in fact, it’s actually not a good place to store them. Onions can soften and spoil in the cold, moist environment of the refrigerator. Whole onions should be kept in a place that is dark, cool, dry, and has good ventilation.
How Long Do Unpeeled Onions Last in the Fridge?
Generally speaking, onions should last between seven and ten days in your refrigerator and six to eight months in your freezer, but all of that can depend on how they are stored.
Why Shouldn’t You Store Onions?
Also, lack of air circulation will cause onions to spoil, as will storing them near potatoes, which give off moisture and gas that can cause onions to spoil quickly. Onions should be kept in a cool, dry, dark, and well-ventilated space. (The onion’s bitterness can be exacerbated by light.)
Summary: How to Store Onions?
Follow these recommendations to extend the shelf life of your onions. The best way to store onions is to store them in a cool, dry place, reduce moisture, keep onions away from light, and do not store onions with apples or potatoes.
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